Portland Primary School and Portland North Primary School will benefit from a Brumby Government boost through the ‘Go for you life’ Healthy Start in Schools Grants for 2008, Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said today.
The schools are two of a number of schools who had responded with an outstanding application for the ‘Go for your life’ program,” Ms Tierney said.
“It’s great to see that Portland and Portland North Primary Schools are committed to encouraging their students adopt healthy eating habits and exercise regularly.”
Portland Primary School will receive $6,000 to upgrade their vegetable garden and Portland North Primary School will also receive $6000 for line markings on two asphalt areas – one for engaging in physical activity, and the other for basketball, netball, bat tennis and bike education.
Ms Tierney said that the initiative aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity which in turn will help individual students develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“The good news about this ‘Go for your life’ funding is that it can be used immediately to improve or expand existing resources enabling students themselves to obtain immediate benefits to both eat well and keep fit,” Ms Tierney said.
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said the funding formed part of a four year $6 million Brumby Government program, with this second round of grants totalling just over $1 million for 2008.
“The funding will be used in individual schools for a variety of purposes such as upgrading existing canteen facilities, repairs to exercise tracks, bike sheds, provide re-asphalting, all-weather protection of outdoor play areas and kitchen gardens,” Ms Pike said.
“Education is the Brumby Labor Government’s number one priority and our government is taking action so all children get the best start in life no matter where they live.”
The ‘Go for you life’ Healthy Start initiative is linked to the Brumby Government’s Healthy Canteen Kit and Kids – “Go for you life’ program.
Both initiatives show the Brumby Government’s commitment to assisting individual schools implement effective programs in health and physical education as outlined in the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS).